معهد الأمير سعود الفيصل للدراسات الدبلوماسية يحتفل باليوم العالمي للمرأة في الدبلوماسية من خلال ندوة مميزة

On the occasion of International Women’s Day in Diplomacy, the Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies organized a seminar celebrating the vital role of women in this field. The event was graced by the presence of His Excellency Eng. Walid bin Abdul Kareem Al-Khreeji, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, along with several prominent female diplomatic leaders and ambassadors accredited to the Kingdom.

In his opening address, the Deputy Minister highlighted the significance of empowering women within the diplomatic corps, acknowledging the milestones achieved under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, who is also the Prime Minister. He pointed out that these accomplishments are aligned with the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. The Deputy Minister emphasized that Saudi women are now active participants on the international stage, serving as ambassadors, leaders, negotiators, and representatives of the Kingdom in various forums.

The seminar delved into several key themes focused on the professional advancement of women in diplomacy. It addressed the measures put in place to empower women in their diplomatic careers, the role of men in fostering change, and the distinctive traits and skills that women bring to diplomatic work. Additionally, discussions included strategies for amplifying women’s voices in the arena of international relations. The seminar also examined how the integration of a female perspective in foreign policy formulation impacts both local and global policies and emphasized the need to enhance women’s participation in multilateral forums while facing contemporary and future challenges.

Prominent female diplomatic leaders participated in the discussions, including Petra Menander, the Ambassador of Sweden to the Kingdom; Kirsti Tromsdal, the Ambassador of Norway to Saudi Arabia; Allison Delort, Chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy in the Kingdom; Dr. Harriet Sixten Moyle, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Ireland; and Kim Ralston, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Australia.

The seminar also saw the attendance of various ambassadors and diplomats accredited to the Kingdom, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and representatives from several governmental agencies.

This gathering reinforced the commitment to promoting gender equality within the diplomatic community, recognizing that a diverse workforce not only enriches diplomatic practices but also leads to more inclusive and effective policymaking. Through such initiatives, the Kingdom aims to elevate the role of women in diplomacy, echoing broader global trends that advocate for gender parity in all professional sectors.

In summary, this event served as a vital platform for dialogue on the importance of integrating women’s perspectives in diplomatic efforts and highlighted ongoing initiatives designed to support women in the field. By championing women’s contributions and enabling their progress, Saudi Arabia is setting a precedent for future advancements in gender equality within diplomacy, aligning with its National Vision 2030 objectives.